Ga. political notebook: Isakson hospitalized

ATLANTA – U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was hospitalized Monday after “feeling ill and being dehydrated,” his office said today.

“Senator Isakson woke up yesterday feeling ill and very dehydrated, and he was admitted to Northside Hospital to receive fluids and undergo tests,” Isakson spokeswoman Joan Kirchner said in a statement. “Doctors believe Senator Isakson is suffering from a bacterial infection. Senator Isakson is responding very well to the treatment and is feeling much better. He met this morning with his Senate chief of staff at the hospital and hopes to be back at work soon.”

Senate approves zero-tolerance bill

The state Senate has approved legislation its sponsor – Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur – says will cut down on the abuse of “zero-tolerance” discipline in schools.

“This is about putting the decisions back in the hands of the educators,” Jones said in a news release. “Teachers and (principals) should have the flexibility to levy a punishment that appropriately fits the student. The one-size fits all approach to discipline that has pervaded our schools serves only to ensnare kids into a pipeline to prison.”

SB 299 now heads to the House.

Mullis: Study Pledge of Allegiance, flag in school

State Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, introduced legislation (SB 518) to add studies about the Pledge of Allegiance and the Georgia flag to elementary and secondary schools’ history curriculum.

“As one of the original Thirteen Colonies, Georgia is rich in her American and state history. As Georgians, we should be proud of our heritage and the Pledge of Allegiance and Georgia flag played a significant role in history,” Mullis said in a news release. “By learning from our history, we take on the challenges of today and work to make Georgia an even better state.”

Obama signs health care bill

President Obama today signed the controversial health care bill. Vice President Joe Biden allegedly dropped an “F bomb” during the ceremony.

“Future generations will decry the enactment of this law as one of the most irresponsible acts ever perpetrated by the federal government,” U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said in a news release. “Americans now face a future of spending more money for decreased access to less innovative and lower quality care. Government spending on health care will send taxes and debt to crippling levels.”

Perdue sets election date for Deal seat

Gov. Sonny Perdue set an April 27 special election to fill the seat U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal vacated. Deal, who announced his resignation earlier this month, postponed his resignation until after Sunday’s health care vote.